New York Fashion Week: Matthew Williamson

British designer Matthew Williamson stepped on the gas pedal and injected a note of biker-chic into his boho de luxe collection at New York Fashion Week.

Demonstrating that his favourite, young bohemian muse - such as 'London Girls' Daisy Lowe, Petra Nemcova and Kelly Osbourne, who sat front row - could be just at home on the back of a BMW as strolling the beaches of Ibiza, Williamson showed skin-tight leathers in lipstick-pink, acid lime and black. Tailored 'biker' jackets, with padded shoulders, zips and stitching, were worn with jewelled camisoles and brocade minis, while skinny, leather jeans, with MX stitching, were matched with candy-coloured, embroidered vests and spencer-jackets.

Williamson's signature look of relaxed, bohemian glamour included slouchy romper-suits in psychedelic star and circle prints, worn unzipped and unbuttoned over matching bras, rainbow-beaded jackets and sexy, knitted T-shirt dresses, slashed at the thigh and worn with matching, long cardigans.

After-dark looks included hologram-sequinned tank-dresses with the armholes open to the waist and tulle 'puffball' dresses strewn with purple chiffon flowers.

Williamson, who continues to base his operations in London, is giving up his second job at the Italian label, Pucci after the spring/summer showing in Milan later this month, after a three-year stint as creative director, in order to consolidate the global growth of his own brand. He sold a 22 per cent stake in his company in August, 2007, to TSM Capital.

His used his catwalk show in New York to launch a new line of accessories including spike-heeled sandals in python and neon-coloured leather, tasselled clutches, beaded handbags and a treasure-chest of 'bling bling' necklaces, designed to be tossed over white, scoop-neck T-shirts.

In January, Williamson, 37, who already has a flagship store in London, will open his first New York shop in the Meatpacking District, alongside fellow- British designers, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney, with a further store planned for Dubai.